Countries That Drive on the Left: The Complete List

Let me share something embarrassing – my first international road trip nearly ended in disaster.

I confidently jumped in my rental car in England, pulled onto the highway, and found myself facing oncoming traffic in what should have been “my lane.”

Turns out, knowing which countries drive on the left side isn’t just trivia – it’s crucial travel knowledge that could save your life.

After visiting 35+ countries and driving in most of them, I’ve compiled this ultimate guide to left side driving countries to help you avoid my near catastrophic mistake.

Which Countries Drive on the Left Side of the Road?

About 76 countries and territories drive on the left side of the road. This represents roughly one third of the world’s population.

💡 Tip: If you rent a car in a left driving country, place a sticky note on the dashboard saying “STAY LEFT” until it becomes second nature. I wish I had done this in New Zealand!

Here’s the complete list of countries where you’ll need to drive on the left side:

When I first drove in Thailand in 2019, I realized my travel insurance had excluded “driving on the opposite side” coverage. Had to make a quick call and pay extra for proper protection.

Before you drive abroad, verify your insurance covers driving on the opposite side – many policies don’t! Compare specialized coverage here.

The Major Left Side Driving Countries by Population

When planning international road trips, I focus on these major countries that drive on the left:

Source: World Population Review 2025

💡 Tip: In Japan, I learned that their car rental GPS systems are usually in Japanese only. Download an offline translation app before your trip.

Why Do Some Countries Drive on the Left?

I became fascinated with this question after nearly causing several accidents in the UK. The history is actually fascinating:

Most left side driving countries were once part of the British Empire.

This practice dates back to medieval times when knights passed each other on the left, keeping their sword hand (right) toward potential enemies.

Meanwhile, Napoleon changed much of Europe to right side driving during his conquests, explaining why most of continental Europe drives on the right.

During my road trip through Southern Africa in 2022, I crossed from Namibia (left side) to Angola (right side).

The border crossing included a special interchange to transition drivers from one side to the other.

My insurance nearly doubled the premium for this crossing because of the high accident rates at these transition points.

Always check if your route includes border crossings between left and right side driving countries.

You’ll need special coverage. Compare policies with border crossing protection here.

Countries That Switched Sides

Some countries have actually switched which side they drive on:

💡 Tip: When I rented a vintage car in Sweden, the steering wheel was still on the right side though they now drive on the right. Always check steering wheel position before renting.

Tips for Driving on the “Wrong” Side

After embarrassing myself across three continents, here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Remember the driver sits toward the middle of the road – this helped me more than anything else.
2. Take it slow the first day – my costly fender bender in Ireland happened within 20 minutes of leaving the rental agency.
3. Use GPS with voice commands – hearing “turn left” is easier than trying to interpret maps.
4. Be extra careful at roundabouts – I went the wrong way in a UK roundabout and still have nightmares.
5. Practice on quiet roads first – I paid extra to pick up my Australian rental at a suburban location rather than busy Sydney.

When I crashed my rental car in New Zealand (minor, thankfully), I discovered my standard travel insurance excluded “driving on opposite sides” coverage.

The claim was denied because I hadn’t purchased their special driver coverage. Always verify your insurance specifically covers driving on the opposite side. Find specialized driver coverage here.

The Most Challenging Left Side Driving Countries

In my opinion, based on personal experience, these countries present the biggest challenges:

1. India – Chaotic traffic, minimal rule enforcement
2. Thailand – Fast highways but unpredictable local drivers
3. Jamaica – Narrow roads, aggressive driving culture
4. Sri Lanka – Winding mountain roads with blind corners
5. Mauritius – Narrow roads, many unmarked one way streets

I learned the hard way in Sri Lanka that many travel insurance policies have exclusions for “driving on mountainous roads in left side driving countries.”

This obscure clause nearly cost me thousands when I needed medical care after a minor accident. Always read policy exclusions carefully.

Left Side Driving Countries by Continent

Africa (15 countries)

Most of these were former British colonies:

Botswana, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Asia (19 countries/territories)

The largest concentration of left side drivers live in this region:

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Cyprus, East Timor, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand

Caribbean/Americas (25 countries/territories)

Many small island nations follow their colonial heritage:

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands

Europe (7 countries/territories)

Only a few European nations drive on the left:

Cyprus, Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Malta, United Kingdom

Oceania (7 countries)

All major Oceanian nations drive on the left:

Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu

💡 Tip: In rural Australia, I discovered my rental car contract prohibited driving from dusk to dawn because of animal collisions. Always check timing restrictions in your rental agreement.

FAQs About Driving on the Left

Do all island nations drive on the left?

No. While many island nations do drive on the left, there are exceptions like the Philippines, Madagascar, and Cuba that drive on the right.

Which country was the last to switch from left to right?

Samoa was the last country to switch sides, changing from right to left in 2009.

Is it difficult to adjust to driving on the opposite side?

In my experience, it takes about 2 3 days to become comfortable. The first day is the most dangerous when your instincts might kick in.

Do cars in left driving countries have the steering wheel on the right?

Yes, almost always. Though I rented a left hand drive American car in the UK once, which made for a terrifying experience on narrow country roads.

Are there any countries where different regions drive on different sides?

Not currently. However, in China, Hong Kong and Macau drive on the left while mainland China drives on the right.

What should I do if I’m struggling to adjust to left side driving?

Consider paying for an extra driver on your rental car who has experience with left side driving. I did this in Scotland and it saved my trip.

Conclusion

Knowing which countries drive on the left isn’t just travel trivia. It’s essential knowledge that could save your life and prevent costly accidents.

In my decade plus of international travels, I’ve learned that the physical act of driving on the opposite side is manageable with practice.

What’s tricky is rewiring your brain’s instincts at intersections, roundabouts, and when turning.

Before visiting any left side driving country, I recommend:

1. Watching YouTube videos of driving in that specific country
2. Booking an automatic transmission car (one less thing to think about)
3. Adding a second driver to your rental if possible
4. Verifying your travel insurance covers driving on the opposite side
5. Planning shorter driving days initially

Remember that left side driving countries represent about a third of the world’s population and include some of the most beautiful and interesting destinations.

Don’t let driving anxiety keep you from exploring them!

If you’re planning a trip to any of these countries soon, make sure your travel insurance specifically covers driving on the left side.

Many standard policies have surprising exclusions. Compare specialized driver coverage here.

Safe travels and keep left when needed!